Major Study Confirms Vegan Diets Support Healthy Growth in Children

Carefully planned vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth in children when appropriate supplements are included, according to a major new meta-analysis. This study, the most comprehensive review to date of plant-based diets in young people, examined health, growth, and nutritional outcomes in more than 48,000 children and adolescents worldwide.

Researchers from Italy, the USA, and Australia published their findings in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. They reviewed data from 59 studies across 18 countries, comparing lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets with omnivorous diets.

The analysis included 7,280 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1,289 vegans, and 40,059 omnivores. Vegetarian children consumed higher amounts of fiber, iron, folate, vitamin C, and magnesium but had lower intakes of energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12, and zinc.

Vegan children showed similar nutritional patterns but had particularly low calcium intake. Dr. Jeannette Beasley, a co-author and Associate Professor at New York University, noted that vitamin B12 didn't reach adequate levels without supplementation or fortified foods.

Calcium, iodine, and zinc intakes were often at the lower end of recommended ranges. Despite these gaps, both vegetarian and vegan children had more favorable cardiovascular health profiles than omnivores, with lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Measurements of growth revealed that children on plant-based diets tended to be leaner, with vegetarian children slightly shorter and lighter on average. Lead author Dr. Monica Dinu from the University of Florence stated that well-planned and appropriately supplemented vegetarian and vegan diets can meet nutritional requirements and support healthy growth in children.

The researchers emphasized careful planning for families choosing plant-based diets and encouraged seeking guidance from dietitians and pediatric health professionals. They also highlighted the need for developing clear, evidence-based recommendations to help families plan healthy plant-based diets for children.

The authors cautioned that the findings have limitations, as many studies were cross-sectional and measuring children's dietary intake remains challenging. Dr. Wolfgang Marx from Deakin University noted the need for a balanced approach, paying close attention to nutrients like vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, iron, and zinc to ensure children's nutritional needs are met.